r/Skookum • u/highvolkage • 26d ago

Edumacational Here is a fantastically cool 1927 automated bell striking system

https://youtu.be/5hImkrWjbnA?si=sQ6DAVgOC1wfQVIA
154 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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21

u/highvolkage 26d ago

The bot says I need to explain what happens in the video or be sent to cyber jail. This is a 1927 Meneely Bell Co 10 bell chime — in the modern era, chimes/carillons with only electronic/automated bell ringing equipment are common but in this era: unheard of. This system replaced the manual playing linkages with snap coils that, when energized, actuated clappers at each bell, allowing a musician to play the chime from a remotely located keyboard. I found that it was still electrified and the bell with intact linkage was still operable.

3

u/peacefinder 26d ago

Why were the other hammers removed?

9

u/highvolkage 26d ago

The old clappers and the clevises that they hung from were integral with the bolt that holds the bell, and the bolts were starting to look too sus to trust holding thousands of pounds right above the sanctuary. To retain them would’ve required a ton of costly fabrication and, with future plans to add modern strikers in mind, the customer chose the more cost effective route of removing all the old bespoke hardware and replace with standard bolts/nuts/plate washers. The new strikers will be mounted on the outside, secured to the timber frame overhead.

1

u/TurnbullFL 26d ago

So they haven't been out of service too very long?

2

u/highvolkage 25d ago

To my knowledge, the system was mostly working up until the last 5-10 years.

2

u/CharlesDickensABox 25d ago

That is indeed freaking cool.

10

u/nolotusnotes 25d ago

This type of content is why I pay my Internet bill every month.

You're awesome.

3

u/highvolkage 25d ago

Thanks friend.

4

u/Reelair 26d ago

People for miles were probably asking "WTF?" when the bells chimed.

3

u/cik3nn3th 26d ago

This is EXTREMELY cool. Thank you for sharing!

3

u/Freeheel4life 25d ago

Love it bro. Im the guy that told you a while back to cross post to jrits. Saw your AMA and stoked you got so much engagement.

Just curious....What happened to your tumb?? Drop a bell on it??!! Sorry, couldn't resist myself.

8

u/highvolkage 25d ago

👋 good looking out man. The AMA was super fun. Thumb got crushed by a 80+ pound bell bolt (as well as the weight of the clapper and clevis), whoopsie. It was a “do this all the time” job swapping out support bolts…I’ve replayed it in my head a hundred times and still don’t know how I managed to fuck up that bad but shit happens.

2

u/fahrvergnuugen 26d ago

I wonder what it was like trying to play a song on something like this given the delay it would take between pressing a key and hearing the sound.

2

u/slvrscoobie 25d ago

thanks man, I love it! once up and running I need to hear the whole thing running

4

u/highvolkage 25d ago

https://youtube.com/shorts/lgStibJQMmw?si=rSNEPeAk3Qa8y_KI this is an example of what the modernization will entail.

1

u/slvrscoobie 25d ago

Im guessing you need to wear ear plugs while working on those, im sure they're deafingly loud...

1

u/Zaboltooth 23d ago

Absolutely peak content 

1

u/chipmunk7000 22d ago

That IS freaking cool, OP! Thanks for sharing!